Salem – MA – Erin O’Brien (Hanson, MA) scored the game-winning goal for the Salem State University Vikings, who defeated the Curry College Colonels, 1-0 at Alumni Field on Tuesday afternoon.

O’Brien has two goals on the season for Salem State which improved to 2-1-1 on the season. Net-minder Leah Potcner (Wilmington, MA) stopped all five shots in her victorious effort. Curry College’s goaltender Samantha Hardy (Pepperell, MA) was marked for the loss. Hardy saved eight of the nine shots she faced on net. Curry College’s record drops to 2-3.

Both teams struggled to take command in the first half. The Viking offense controlled the ball the majority of the half, but managed only three shots on goal. The Colonel’s best opportunity came from the foot of junior Suzanne Jensen (Framingham, MA). At the 23:48 mark Jensen sent a break-away shot toward Potcner. The Viking net-minder made a diving save to keep the shutout alive. Jensen contributed the Colonel’s only two shots of the first half.

Hardy was forced to make two spectacular saves for Curry to keep the Vikings off of the scoreboard. Hardy turned away a quick header by O’Brien at 47:45 and a shot by KatyLyn Verrette (Saugus, MA) at 53:29 was swept away as it trickled toward the goal line after Hardy batted it down. However, the Salem State offense finally found the back of the net when O’Brien headed a free kick from Verrette at 76:36 to score the game-winner.

The Salem State University Vikings next travel to Wenham, MA on Thursday afternoon to take on the Gordon College Fighting Scots at four o’clock. Curry hosts Anna Maria College on Saturday September 18 at 1:30 p.m.

(Courtesy of Salem State Sports Information)

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